LAND & WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 54

LAND & WATER.

BOWLING. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. VANCOUVER, September 19. The New Zealand bowlers defeated Vancouver by 165 to 138. WRESTLING. A VERY ROUGH BOUT. SYDNEY, September 18. In a wrestling bout between Walter Miller and Bob Kruse at Rushcutters Bay, Kruse seized his opponei.* as he was re-entering the ring after having been forced through the ropes and threw him heavily. Kruse -was disqualified, and Miller was found to be suffering from a broken shoulder and was sent to hospital. MOTOR CYCLE TRIAL. WIN FOR ENGLISH TEAM. RUGBY, September 17. The international six days’ motor cycle trial was won by the English team, the holders of the international trophy, but it appeared likely that the Swedish team, which rode briliantly, would this year take it from them. On a final examination of the machines, however, it was discovered that in two cases the Swede’ machines had broken back brakes, which incurred a loss of 22 marks. Britain also retained the silver vase, the English women’s team, which won. last year, being second, and a Dutch team third. BILLIARDS. WELLINGTON, September 21. Tn the provincial interclub billiards championship, Angus Duncan (Returned Solders’ Club)- beat L. J. Petley (Commercial Travellers’ Club), 500 to 405. ~ RECORD BREAK BY NEWMAN. LONDON, September 19. Playing against Smith at Liverpool, Newman scored 1166 unfinished in the afternoon, and, continuing in the evening, completed 1231, which is a record for the composition ball under the new rules. The scores are:— Smith (in play) 3976 Newman 3567 LONDON, September 21. The scores in the billiard match are:— Smith 6661 Newman 5750 AMATEUR CYCLING. NORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP. " AUCKLAND, September 23. Heavy rain and a strong wind made conditions decidedly unpleasant for the North Island Cycle Road Race Championship from Hamilton to Auckland on Saturday. The event was won by N.

Bellringer (New Plymouth), who covered the 90 miles stretch in 4hr 45|inin, riding a remarkable race. The winner made his victory more noteworthy by reason of the fact that he was never far behind the leading bunches at any stage, although he crossed the starting line in Hamilton 23 minutes_ after the despatch of the first contestant. The second and third places were filled by R. Hardley (4hr 42min) and L. Gargen (4hr 424 min), respectively. These two competitors also represented Taranaki. The well-known Gisborne cyclist, S. Gooch, secured the blue riband for the fastest time, covering the journey in 4hr 39min. He finished strongly with the first batch of riders. J. Lindop was only 14 seconds behind him. PALMERSTON NORTH TO WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, September 22. The Palmerston North to Wellington Cycling Road Race was won by A. R. Mutton (Christchurch), (35min). C. Rhodes (Christchurch), (35min) was second; G. Farmer (Christchurch), (16mm), thir; and N. Collins (Palmerston North) fourth. L. G. Lukey (Christchurch), scratch, who was fifth, did the fastest time—6hr 22min 44 2-ssec. The second fastest time was put up by M. Gane (Wellington),—6hr 33min 30sec, and the third fastest time bv G. Farmer (Christchurch) —6hr 38min 44sec. CIVIL SERVICE CLUB. A Three Mile Bicycle Handicap Race was held by members of the Civil Service Club on the Caledonian Ground on Saturday’ afternoon. An excellent effort was made by J. Fogerty, who, from the scratch mark, rode a well-judged race, to win by fully five yards from C. Lucas, who had a handicap of 80 yards. Fogerty came fast from the back mark in the last two laps, and he passed rider after rider with a great spurt. The following are the results:—

J. Fogerty (scr) j C. Lucas (80yds) ” 2 J. Ewing (105yds) ’ 3 Also started: A. Rosenbrock (scr), A. Rackley (310yds), C. Conrov (295yds), J. Simon (210yds), T. Dillon (205vds). vln S was about four yards behind Lucas, the officials were Messrs Winchester and Garside, of the Otago Amateur Cycling Club.

COURSING.

By

Clarence.

The coursing season for 1928, which has just ended, has been uneventful so far as New Zealand generally is concerned. The recent Waterloo ‘ Cup, run m the North Island, did not attract a solitary representative from the South Island, and the dogs which competed in the big event did not disclose any that were possessed of anything out of the ordinary’. It would anpear that the rising generation do not take such a keen interest in this old-time sport, and as the real old coursing identities of the early days are “ passing out,” the game will soon become also “ only a memory’.” However, there are a few live embers left, and these are still capable of attracting attention. To this end the Southland Club at Invercargill is early in the field to make a bid to secure the running of the 1929 Waterloo Cup at Invercargill. The club has a good ground, and should be capable of handling the big event to advantage, although it is a long way for dogs from the North Island to travel. Christchurch will also make a bold bid for the event, and has muqh to recommend Its many advantages. Our Dunedin Club does not seem to make any headway, and unless another more suitable enclosure can be secured the present indications are such that the sport will not revive under the existing conditions. It seems a pity that more centres do not form clubs and go to the open country

where hares abound in plenty, and provide such grand opportunities for open coursing events. The Otago Open Club has run off seven successful events during the season, and has thus kept the flag flying and provided dog owners with an opportunity of testing their dogs. Next year the club hopes to be early in the field, and already two handsome cups have been promised, one being the “ Tracey Memorial,” in honour of the late Mrs P. Tracey, of Outram. One of the best performers this year locally has been the consistent little dog Rapid Fire, who has competed in six of the open events and succeeded in being second on four occasions and once dividing for first and second money; thus, he was only ’displaced once, that being in the Licensed Victuallers’ Cup, when Ben Hur (who won the stake) beat him in the first run. He will now be spelled till after Christmas, and will then be taken in hand for the big Easter event.